Horsekeeping: Sheath cleaning do’s and don’ts.

Your gelding’s sheath may need occasional cleaning. Here’s how to go about it.

I

f you own a male horse, chances are you’ll need to consider sheathcleaning from time to time. We asked Michelle Lee, DVM, of Northern California’s Foothill Mobile Veterinary Service ( foothillmobilevet.com) for do’s and don’ts surrounding this task. Here’s what she told us.

DO

use common sense. The accumulation of smegma, the sebaceous secretion inside the sheath, is normal. Periodic checking and cleaning of the penis and sheath can help remove inordinate build- up, but overdoing it can upset the balance of healthy microorganisms (see box).

DO

prepare in advance. Gather the items you’ll need—a wash bucket, warm water, disposable latex gloves, and paper towels or an old cotton terrycloth sock (turned inside out and slipped over your hand, it’s a convenient wash rag). If your hose doesn’t dispense warm water, a turkey baster is handy for gently irrigating inside the sheath using warm water from the bucket. Ideally, have someone hold your horse as you work, and fly-spray him in advance to ward off pests.

DON’T

use anti- microbial soaps or other harsh cleaners. Low-sudsing commercial products designed for sheath- cleaning work well, as does baby shampoo. Plain water is also an option. Remember—you don’t want to upset the natural microbiome more than necessary.

DON’T

reach under your horse suddenly. Slide your hand along his barrel to forewarn him, then reach under carefully to administer the warm water, which may encourage him to drop his penis. Don’t put your head down to look; just glance and then work by feel—the thin latex gloves will be an advantage here. Squat or crouch (don’t kneel), and always be ready to move quickly if a tail swish indicates your horse is about to cow- kick.

DON’T

scrub. Whether you use paper towels or a “sock rag,” and a gentle soap or plain water, work gently to remove encrusted smegma and dirt, then rinse gently with warm water.

DO

check for beans—the firm, kidney-bean-shaped masses of dried secretions and urine salts that may form in the pouch at the end of your horse’s penis. Apart from causing discomfort, a large bean can possibly impede the flow of urine.

DON’T

twitch your horse in order to clean his sheath. If he objects to the procedure, have your vet do it— he or she can administer a mild sedative to relax him (which helps him to drop down, too, making the job easier). Your vet can also check for skin lesions— especially important for horses with pink skin in this area.